The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to the questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!
The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for April are:
Question: What was the difference in climbing and stalling speed when the Halifax II was taking off with a full bomb and petrol load and all-up weight of 67,500 pounds? What was the difference in climbing and stalling speed when the aircraft had obtained sufficient speed?
Answer: “Nevertheless, we were still flying a Halifax II, a very obsolete aircraft. With a full bomb and petrol load and for an all up weight of 67,500 pounds, the difference of stalling and climbing speed was only 4 mph (miles per hour). This is why we were told to fly low until airspeed builds up, before going into climbing mode. The difference in climb and stall was up to 20 mph.”
Source: CAHS JOURNAL – SPRING 2010-PAGE 24
Question: Alfred Atkey was a WW I pilot, who heralded from Nunebar SK, was described in Arthur Bishop’s True Canadian Heroes in the Air. What did he accomplish that caused Arthur Bishop to put him in his book? How many planes did he shoot down?
Answer: “Alfred Atkey was credited with being the only Canadian two-seater pilot to have shot down a pair of German planes in a single combat. Born in Nunebar, Sask., Atkey joined the RFC, trained as a pilot and served with 18 and 22 Squadrons, flying both Bristol and DH 4 two-seater fighters. On February 14, 1918, he and his observer were returning from a photographing and bombing mission when ten German fighters attacked them. In the ensuing battle Atkey managed to destroy two of the enemy machines, forcing the remainder of their assailants to break off the engagement. Despite heavy damage to the DH 4 Atkey managed to fly back to base and land safely. By war’s end he had been given credit for 17 aircraft destroyed and, jointly with his observer, for shooting down another two.”
Source: TRUE CANADIAN HEROES IN THE AIR - Arthur Bishop – Page 5
Questions: 1) What RCAF Bomber Squadron became one of the most decorated units during WWII? 2) What were the members of this unit proud to call themselves? 3) How many operational sorties did this squadron fly? 4) How many, over a span of 3 ½ years, operational missions did this squadron fly and how many aircraft did they lose flying these operational missions? HINT: This was the only Canadian squadron to be named after a person.
Answer: “No. 419 Squadron was the only Canadian Squadron to be named after a person and all members were proud to call themselves, “Moosemen”. In addition, the squadron had an excellent record flying a total of 4,325 operational sorties inflicting heavy damage on the enemy. Over a span of roughly 3 ½ years, the squadron logged up 400 operational missions losing 129 aircraft. As a result of its wartime record, 419 Squadron became one of the most decorated units during World War II.”
Source: CAHS JOURNAL – Spring-2010 – Page 28